Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[ShelfWatcher]

I’m a big fan. He gets a rough go by some on here. But he works hard, is a leader, and is an important part of the squad. He may not be first choice in the toughest games (and then it’s questionable) with Bentancur and Skipp potentially ahead of him, but over a season of multiple competitions, he’ll play a key role.

Agree, except I think he is a first choice in the toughest of games. Maybe someone will displace him.I doubt it though this season anyway. He's a vital part of our first XI.
I think 3 5 2 is probably our best formation, but whatever the formation Hojbjerg is one of the first on the team sheet for the big games

 

[spoon]

Actually can't wait to see what a Bentancur/PEH pairing can do when they get up to speed.
Maybe a bit more tweaking in the summer in the middle and we can start to boss midfield again against most teams.

 

[spids]

Time he went. Pointing doesn’t win games

Laughable.

I posted this in another thread. week or so ago ... Højbjerg does a lot more than just point. He does a lot more than Skipp or Winks too (see table below from PL games this season). And a lot of it goes unnoticed as he puts his body in the way of stuff and never gives in. Just look at clearances, interceptions, and headed clearances, that's the sort of thing it's easy not to notice.

	Højbjerg​	Skipp​	Winks​
Games	20​	19​	9​
Tackles	42​	33​	7​
Tackle Success %	69%​	58%​	57%​
Blocked Shots	6​	1​	0​
Interceptions	29​	12​	14​
Clearances	24​	8​	4​
Headed Clearances	9​	1​	1​

What he lacks in finesses he more than makes up for in leadership, tactical intelligence and desire to win (and yes, pointing). Against Leicester it was Højbjerg with the assist for the assist for both Bergwijn's goals. It was Højbjerg (who was high up the pitch in an aggressive press) assisting Kane for the opener against Brighton.

I expect Højbjerg and Bentancur to be our first choice pairing the rest of the season.

 

[Stamford]

I have to say, for all the good he does, the running around pointing or with his hands in the air is annoying! The old mantra of play to whistle doesn't seem to be in mindset.

No it's not. He's constantly instructing his team mates and getting onto the refs. It's a good thing. What people have against this guy is weird now

 

[Deleted member 29446]

Laughable.

I posted this in another thread. week or so ago ... Højbjerg does a lot more than just point. He does a lot more than Skipp or Winks too (see table below from PL games this season). And a lot of it goes unnoticed as he puts his body in the way of stuff and never gives in. Just look at clearances, interceptions, and headed clearances, that's the sort of thing it's easy not to notice.

	Højbjerg​	Skipp​	Winks​
Games	20​	19​	9​
Tackles	42​	33​	7​
Tackle Success %	69%​	58%​	57%​
Blocked Shots	6​	1​	0​
Interceptions	29​	12​	14​
Clearances	24​	8​	4​
Headed Clearances	9​	1​	1​

What he lacks in finesses he more than makes up for in leadership, tactical intelligence and desire to win (and yes, pointing). Against Leicester it was Højbjerg with the assist for the assist for both Bergwijn's goals. It was Højbjerg (who was high up the pitch in an aggressive press) assisting Kane for the opener against Brighton.

I expect Højbjerg and Bentancur to be our first choice pairing the rest of the season.

Finally some common sense and facts to back it up. Doesn't look to good for Skipp either.

I like Skipp don't get me wrong, but PEH is clearly the better player for now.

Try write it in the match thread though, you will get +20 negs.

 

[IfiHadTheWings]

I find it strange the way he polarises opinion, i have a lot of time for Pierre and he's always giving his all, he celebrated winning a throw yesterday, love that.

He definitely contributes a lot more than people give him credit for, upgradeable? probably yes but upgradeable within our current squad, not for me.

 

[DanielCHillier]

Finally some common sense and facts to back it up. Doesn't look to good for Skipp either.

I like Skipp don't get me wrong, but PEH is clearly the better player for now.

Try write it in the match thread though, you will get +20 negs.

I think they just have different roles, a lot of what Skipp does isn't shown by these stats.

 

[faze_coys]

I think they just have different roles, a lot of what Skipp does isn't shown by these stats.

Skipp is pro-active reader of the game, PEH is very much reactive.

 

[spids]

Skipp is pro-active reader of the game, PEH is very much reactive.

Disagree, Guardiola said that the reason PEH has so many interceptions is because he can read the game and marks the spaces well rather than the players.

Skipp is very good and proactively reads the game exceptionally well, but the stats show he does not make as many interceptions or tackles as Højbjerg.

 

[spids]

I think they just have different roles, a lot of what Skipp does isn't shown by these stats.

Skipp and Højbjerg are very similar. I think Skipp is a better passer in tight spaces and at being available for the ball. But Skipp also goes to ground too easily (shown by his yellow card count). When was the last time Højbjerg got booked for a late tackle? Skipp has a higher ceiling, but Højbjerg is more effective and a better leader right now.

 

[faze_coys]

Disagree, Guardiola said that the reason PEH has so many interceptions is because he can read the game and marks the spaces well rather than the players.

Skipp is very good and proactively reads the game exceptionally well, but the stats show he does not make as many interceptions or tackles as Højbjerg.

Where did pep say this?

 

[spids]

Where did pep say this?

It was after we beat them 2-0 last season ...

After the match, City manager Guardiola praised Hojbjerg and told Football.London: “We created chances, despite how difficult it was with the physicality. Hojbjerg was following the gaps really well.”

 

[mark87]

Gets a lot of unwarranted stick. Don’t know what some people‘s obsession with players pointing is. He’s clearly a leader on the pitch.

And part of being a leader can sometimes be telling other players what position they need to be in or who to mark...which can involve pointing, nodding instead isn't a great alternative.

 

[TOLBINY]

Hugo, or in his absence, Kane might wear the armband, but PEH looks every bit as much a leader on the pitch.

 

[nferno]

It was after we beat them 2-0 last season ...

After the match, City manager Guardiola praised Hojbjerg and told Football.London: “We created chances, despite how difficult it was with the physicality. Hojbjerg was following the gaps really well.”

+Pep knows PEH decently well as managed him at Bayern (I think he also initially envisaged him as his Bayern busquets…)

 

[Dunc2610]

No it's not. He's constantly instructing his team mates and getting onto the refs. It's a good thing. What people have against this guy is weird now

I'd like to see him do his own job to the best of his ability not to shouting at others when he's fluffed his lines.

 

[vuzp]

+Pep knows PEH decently well as managed him at Bayern (I think he also initially envisaged him as his Bayern busquets…)

I was just about to write he is just like a Busquets type of player.
Just gets stuck in and does his job perfectly IMHO.

 

[Yakflange]

 

[Yakflange]

 

[Yakflange]

Anyone who doesn't see how good a player Hojberg is, and what abilities he brings to the team, just doesn't really understand football. It's a bit mystifying really. I can't even be bothered to argue it, it's so obvious.